Once you know it’s protected, delete the original folder so it can no longer be located. Step 4: Once the password-protected zip file is created, test it to ensure that it’s working correctly by trying to access any of the content held within. Click the OK button when finished and allow the utility to create a compressed, encrypted duplicate of the folder you wish to password protect.

Then, enter and re-enter your desired password for the folder in the text fields located on the window’s right-hand side. Step 3: Ignoring the bulk of presets in the resulting pop-up window, select zip from the drop-down menu directly beside the Archive Format option to ensure the folder remains compatible with computers without 7-Zip installed.

Alternatively, drag and drop the folder anywhere within the main 7-Zip interface. Step 2: Locate the folder you wish to password protect within the main 7-Zip interface and click the green addition sign in the application’s upper-left corner. Once downloaded, install it as you would any other software and run it. Most users should opt for the 64-bit 圆4 Windows build. Step 1: Navigate to the 7-Zip download page and select the right download for you. The only catch to this tool is that you have to decompress the folder for the safety measures to activate. It does a great job of password-protecting your more critical data. Options include 7-Zip, an open-source zip compression utility that’s readily available for free courtesy of Russian developer Igor Pavlov. For most Windows users, adding a password to a folder requires a third-party archiving utility or some form of compression software. Versions of Windows OS that come before Windows 10 Pro offer no protection for your folders, and even Windows 10 Pro’s safety options could use some improvements. Password protecting Windows folders with 7-Zip Your folder and all of its data are now password-protected by your account. You can tell that it’s worked by the little padlock symbols now on each file within. It’s certainly worth the wait, though, because you will have gained the highest level of security with encrypted data that is impenetrable to outside threats and for your eyes only.

When you’ve decided, click OK.ĭepending on the size and contents of the folder, it may take a while to complete. Step 4: Click Apply, and when prompted, choose whether you want all folders within that directory to be encrypted or merely the top-level one. Step 3: Tick the box next to Encrypt Contents to Secure Data and click OK.

How to lock a folder windows 10